The Sun-Sentinel asked readers to tell them which weather guy they liked best and they ranked WFOR’s Brian Norcross at the top, followed by WPLG’s Don Noe, then WTVJ’s Roland Steadham and WSVN’s Bill Kamal although of the last two it’s not clear who’s infront of who. Follows a short blurb on what readers wrote about their favorite weatherman.
SunSentinel.com
Foul-weather Friends
Foul-Weather Friends
By Kathleen Kernicky
Staff Writer
Posted October 2 2004
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Weather watching is a growing pastime in this shipwreck of a hurricane season. And South Floridians are becoming quick studies, thanks to the mentoring of television meteorologists who’ve made household words out of phrases like cone of probability, dirty side and clean side, and the perils of dry Mays and high pressure.
We asked readers, who is your favorite local meteorologist? And we got an avalanche of response. To date, we’ve received more than 600 e-mails, phone calls and letters — and they’re still coming in. There seems to be a clear favorite, but the love was spread around.
Bryan Norcross at WFOR-Ch. 4 was the favorite among our readers in Broward and Miami-Dade counties. Norcross, who was credited with saving lives when Hurricane Andrew destroyed south Miami-Dade County, continues to draw good will and gratitude from those who lived through that terrifying night 12 years ago.
Some readers said they watch other stations during normal weather conditions — remember those? — but switch to Norcross when a hurricane looms.
“Our guardian angel during Hurricane Andrew,” wrote Rita O’Connor of Sunrise.
Other picks: Don Noe, chief meteorologist at WPLG-Ch. 10, was a big favorite among readers, particularly among longtime residents. Noe has been a mainstay in South Florida for 25 years. Many readers said they feel like he is a trusted neighbor or an old friend.
Not far behind were chief meteorologists Roland Steadham at WTVJ-Ch. 6 and Bill Kamal at WSVN-Ch. 7.
“South Florida, Miami-Dade and Broward, probably has the best group of meteorologists in the whole country,” said Greg De la Garza, a Miami veteran of Hurricane Andrew who echoed what many said. “When I travel around the country, I don’t feel the other stations have such a good group.”
Other names mentioned: John Gerard (WTVJ-Ch. 6), John Morales (Telemundo 51), Bob Soper and Pamela Wright (WFOR-Ch. 4) and Trent Aric (WPLG-Ch. 10).
Many readers said they just want to say thanks, to all of them.
“They have all done a great job in keeping us informed. Thanks, guys,” wrote Ruth Reich of Pompano Beach.
BRYAN NORCROSS,
WFOR-Ch. 4
Readers said they trust his exhaustive knowledge, preparation and expertise in hurricanes. His name remains synonymous with Andrew, one of the most powerful and devastating hurricanes to strike Miami-Dade County. At one point during a marathon broadcast, Norcross (then at WTVJ and simulcast on radio) told listeners whose houses were crumbling to grab a mattress, get inside a closet or bathroom and put the mattress over their heads. People listened, and they survived. Their homes did not.
“I was one of those who sat under the stairwell with our little portable radio, listening to Bryan Norcross at 3:30 in the morning during Hurricane Andrew,” said Dree Stoodley, who lives in Hollywood. “And I’ve sworn by him ever since.”
“I do 50 other channels and Bryan Norcross still remains the favorite, Don Noe running a close second,” said Lucky Schmidt of Hillsboro Beach. “Bryan brought us through Andrew and never left our side. He saved my life emotionally.”
“Bryan Norcross was there for me during Andrew and I have never gotten over that,” wrote Carolyn Fisher of Coconut Creek. “During Hurricane Frances, I lost power. I felt really uneasy until I could find Bryan’s voice on the radio.”
“He got me through Andrew, and my family and friends,” said Ronald Blackwell of Pompano Beach. “He’s been through it and he’s got a great TV personality. And I trust his judgment and his knowledge.”
“Bryan was with us during Andrew. His voice after all these years is a comfort to hear during stressful times,” said Bonnie Wettlaufer of Weston.
Said Mike Trask of Oakland Park: “He has a knack for explaining complicated weather patterns, especially hurricanes, in very simple terms … None of the other weathermen I have seen have that ease in their reporting.”
DON NOE, WPLG-Ch. 10
Noe’s viewers like his factual, no-hype approach and reassuring demeanor. Words used to describe him: Trustworthy, calm, upbeat, accurate, clear and concise.
Of all the meteorologists mentioned, Noe earned the most praise for not hyping or sensationalizing his reports.
“He’s steady and informative and never sensationalizes the situation,” wrote Dana Fairbank of Fort Lauderdale. “He has great tools and graphics that he uses to explain things very clearly. If he doesn’t know something, he tells you that, too.”
“I’ve been living in Florida for over 20 years and I find Don Noe to be the most informative and the least scare-tactic person,” wrote Barbara Dinnerman of Hollywood. “Roland Steadham is second. Norcross should give it a rest … he’s too much of a warmonger and he uses scare tactics sometimes.”
“Don Noe got to the point, no sugarcoating, in terms anyone could understand,” wrote Shawn Duckworth of Pembroke Pines. “I liked the way he told us not to panic, but be prepared. He gave updates when they came in, not repeating the same thing over and over, so we could watch some football. Bottom line … I trust him.”
“Over the years as we prepare and plan for hurricanes and tropical storms to hit our area, we have found Don Noe to be extremely accurate on his predictions and forecasts,” wrote Chief Rick Wierzbicki at Wilton Manors Police Department. “This is crticially important to us as we schedule our police officers on 12-hour shifts for maximum deployment during a major weather event, but we also give them time to prepare and protect their homes and families.”
And the last word on Noe from Georgia and Bob Klemetsmo of Boca Raton:
“When Don Noe says to worry, we worry. If he says not to worry, we don’t.”
ROLAND STEADHAM, WTVJ-Ch. 6
Readers said they like Steadham’s breezy, clear and polished style. Words used to describe him: Professional, calm, down-to-earth, easy to understand and “easy on the eyes.”
“Roland Steadham has a rare combination of capabilities and traits: exhaustive knowledge of the subject; the ability to explain complex meteorological concepts in ways that make them understandable to the layman; a very engaging persona and a reassuring demeanor that allows him to tell us the sky is falling in a way that says `duck, but don’t panic,'” said Jack Diehl of Coral Springs.
“He always remains calm and does not try to scare the viewers with voice inflections and serious facial movements as do others,” wrote Michael and Deborah Oleck of Fort Lauderdale. “We did surf the other channels at times to see what everyone else was saying, but invariably returned to the solid, concise reporting of Roland and his team.”
“He is professional but seems so down-to-earth,” said Rhonda Hanks of Sunrise. “He is at ease and able to relate the latest weather in a smooth manner. He explains things in terms I can understand.”
“He is accurate, concise and does not try to scare his audience into watching later,” said Bill Hancommon of North Lauderdale. “I feel very comfortable with Roland and I stuck with [him] throughout, even when we lost power and had to tune to their simulcast on the radio.”
Said Celia Conti of Plantation: “Roland Steadham gave the information we needed to make an informed decision. No hype. No `it could do this but might do this.’ Some of the local weather personalities just go too far. They spread fear and worry instead of comfort.”
BILL KAMAL, WSVN-Ch. 7
Readers gave this sharp-dressed man a thumbs up for being clear, thorough and a “great teacher” of meteorology. Kamal, who joined WSVN-Ch. 7 in 1994, has become the Pat Riley of the weather arena: Many readers complimented his custom-made suits, “impeccable appearance,” even his “nice hands,” which he uses to explain all those graphics and satellite pictures.
“Watching him is like having a lesson in meteorology from your favorite teacher,” wrote Rick and Suzi Lonsway of Fort Lauderdale. “He speaks beautifully, gives wonderful explanations without talking down to his audience and is always impeccably attired. Best-dressed weatherman as well as best versed!”
“Although Noe or Norcross may have been saying basically the same thing, Bill Kamal put it into a perspective that I could understand,” wrote James Everett. “So thank you, Bill, for keeping me informed during this active hurricane season.”
“He is very thorough and doesn’t leave us guessing,” said Mike Starcke of Pembroke Pines.
“He always dresses impeccably and looks like a million dollars,” said Sara Harden of Pembroke Pines.
“He’s got it all: looks, presence and knowledge,” wrote Ann Burroughs of Fort Lauderdale. “He was the most composed, calm and easy to understand of all the meteorologists that I channel-surfed to see. His lower-registered voice calmly reporting and explaining the events was a welcome relief from the high-pitched and sometimes tension-filled voices of the other guys. My nerves were jangled enough, I sure didn’t need any shrill-sounding, adrenaline-laden people shouting the events at me.”
Kathleen Kernicky can be reached at kkernicky@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4725.
